Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes: 5 Easy Steps

Name: Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2.5 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks; Salt and black pepper, to taste; 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional, for searing); 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 5 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs; ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional); ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped; 2 lbs baby Yukon Gold potatoes, halved; ½ cup low-sodium beef broth; 1 medium onion, sliced (optional); 1 cup carrots, chopped (optional)

Jump to Recipe

If there’s one recipe that truly feels like a warm hug after a long day, it’s Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes. This is the kind of meal you throw together in the morning, go live your busy life, and come home to a kitchen that smells like you’ve been cooking all day (even though your slow cooker did all the heavy lifting 😉).

I created this recipe for those “I want something hearty but I’m exhausted” days. You know the ones—work ran long, kids are hungry, and the last thing you want is a complicated dinner. This dish is rich, cozy, buttery, and deeply satisfying, without demanding much from you at all.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes

Let me count the ways:

One-pot magic: Beef, potatoes, and veggies all cook together.
Minimal prep: A little chopping, a quick stir, and you’re done.
Family-friendly comfort food: Even picky eaters tend to clean their plates.
Big flavor, low effort: Garlic butter + slow cooker = instant win.
Perfect for busy days: Weeknights, Sundays, or anytime life feels chaotic.

This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes is especially great when you want something hearty but not fussy—no fancy ingredients, no complicated steps, just good old-fashioned comfort food.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything that goes into making this cozy slow cooker dinner:

2.5 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil (optional, for searing)
6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried Italian herbs (or thyme, oregano, basil mix)
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
2 lbs baby Yukon Gold potatoes, halved
1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
1 medium onion, sliced (optional)
1 cup carrots, chopped (optional)

Nothing fancy here—just wholesome, everyday ingredients working together beautifully.

How to Make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes

This recipe is very forgiving, which is exactly how I like my slow cooker meals. Let’s walk through it step by step.

Step 1: Season the Beef

Pat the beef chunks dry with paper towels (this helps with flavor). Season generously with salt and black pepper on all sides.

Step 2: Optional Sear (Worth It If You Have Time)

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef chunks for 2–3 minutes per side until browned. This step adds depth, but if your day is already overflowing—skip it. Dinner will still be delicious.

Step 3: Layer the Slow Cooker

Add the halved baby potatoes to the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the beef chunks on top. Scatter the onion and carrots around if you’re using them.

Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, garlic, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes (if using), and chopped parsley. This is where the magic starts.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Pour the beef broth evenly over the beef and potatoes. Drizzle the garlic butter sauce over everything. Gently toss just enough to coat—no need to overthink it.

Step 6: Slow Cook

Cover and cook:

LOW for 7–8 hours, or
HIGH for 4–5 hours

The beef should be fork-tender, and the potatoes soft but not falling apart.

Step 7: Adjust & Serve

Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper if needed. If the sauce feels too thin, let it sit uncovered for 15 minutes or mash a couple of potatoes right into the broth to thicken it naturally.

Transfer everything to a serving platter, spoon that buttery sauce all over, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve warm.

Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes served in a skillet with tender beef chunks and golden baby potatoes coated in rich garlic butter sauce — Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes simmered until fork-tender, finished with fresh herbs and buttery sauce

Helpful Tips for the Best Results

Chuck roast is your best friend. It becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender after slow cooking.
Don’t drown it in liquid. The beef releases juices as it cooks—less broth is more here.
Too thick? Too thin? This sauce is flexible. Mash potatoes to thicken or add a splash of broth if needed.
Garlic lover? Add an extra clove or two. No judgment here.
Want extra veggies? Mushrooms or green beans work great added during the last hour.

If your sauce looks extra rich and buttery, that’s not a problem—that’s a blessing.

A Little Story from My Kitchen

This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes saved me during one of those weeks where everything felt like a to-do list that never ended. I remember tossing everything into the slow cooker early, then coming home completely drained—only to be greeted by that buttery garlic aroma filling the house.

Dinner was already done. No stress. No scrambling. Just comfort on a plate. That’s when I knew this recipe needed to live on the blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip searing the beef?

Absolutely. Searing adds flavor, but the recipe still works beautifully without it—especially on busy mornings.

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Chuck roast works best, but stew meat or bottom round can also work. Just know chuck gives the most tender result.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors get even better overnight.

Can I freeze Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes?

Yes! Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.

What can I serve with this?

Honestly, it’s a full meal on its own. But crusty bread, dinner rolls, or a simple green salad are lovely on the side.

Let’s Make Dinner Easy Tonight

If you’re craving something hearty, cozy, and incredibly satisfying, Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes is calling your name. It’s rich without being complicated, comforting without being heavy, and perfect for those days when you want dinner handled for you.

From my kitchen to yours, I hope this recipe brings you that same sense of calm, comfort, and “ahhh, dinner’s done” joy it brings me.

Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes served in a rustic bowl with tender shredded beef, golden baby potatoes, and rich garlic butter sauce — Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes cooked until melt-in-your-mouth tender and finished with fresh herbs and buttery sauce

More Cozy Dinners to Keep the Slow Cooker Going

If this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes brought a little extra comfort to your table, there are plenty of other cozy meals waiting for you.

On nights when you want the same hearty, no-fuss goodness, Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles for Cozy Family Dinners is always a safe bet, with tender beef and a rich, comforting sauce that feels like a classic Sunday supper.

For those who can’t get enough of that buttery garlic flavor, Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes Made Easy delivers the same bold taste in a slightly different, weeknight-friendly form.

If you enjoy exploring new takes on familiar favorites, Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites is a lovely inspiration that shows just how versatile this flavor combo can be.

And when you’re craving another potato-packed comfort meal, Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Casserole for Easy Comfort Nights fits right in with cozy evenings and full plates.